ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Tourism
Budget allocation of Tourism Ministry for 2021-22 increased to Rs. 2026.77 Crore as against the outlay Rs. 1260.00 Crore approved for revised Budget Plan 2020-21
The emphasis on infrastructure creation in the budget will help to boost tourism sector: Shri Arvind Singh
The outlay for Annual Budget 2021-22 of Ministry of Tourism is Rs. 2026.77 Crore as against the outlay  approved for the revised Budget Plan 2020-21. Briefing media about the various budgetary provisions benefitting the tourism sector in New Delhi today, Secretary Tourism, Shri Arvind Singh said that the annual outlay in FY 2021-22 is 61% higher than the revised annual outlay in FY 2020-21.Out of the proposed budget allocation of Rs 2026.77 crores, about Rs 950.00 crores would be used for creation of tourism infrastructure at different destinations spread over different States and about Rs. 670 crores would be spent on tourism promotional activities, the Secretary explained. The remaining allocation would be used for funding other Schemes like Capacity Building for Service Providers, Champion Service Sector Scheme among others, the Secretary said.
Shri Arvind Singh said we are confident that with emphasis on the infrastructure creation that we have seen in the budget, it will help to improve connectivity for Domestic and International travellers. Shri Arvind added that developing expressways will provide better connectivity to tourist sites along these routes and contribute to the growth and development of tourism sector in the country. Overall better road, air and train connectivity will benefit the tourism sector the tourism sector. The Aesthetically designed Vista Dome LHB coach on tourist routes willalso give a better travel experience to passengers. The Union Budget 2021-22 now takes this concept further as it provides for introduction of aesthetically designed Vista Dome LHB coach on tourist routes to give a better travel experience to passengers. This initiative will go a long way to promote tourism to destinations where Vista Dome Coaches are introduced.
Shri Singh emphasised that the vaccination drive will help to curb the spread of Corona Pandemic which will generate confidence among travellers and help revivedomestic tourism, and also fast-track international tourism once the situation normalizes around the globe. In India, we are having one of the largest world’s largest vaccination drives.
Shri Singh said that the Ministry had launched the Dekho Apna Desh initiative in January 2020. DAD is promoted extensively on social media accounts and website of the Ministry and by Domestic India Tourism offices to promote the lesser known destinations in the country.
Shri Singh further explained that opening of Wellness Centres in urban as well as rural areas would give fillip to wellness tourism in the country and propagate the theme of AtmaNirbhar Bharat. Shri Singh added that the change in MSME definition during Covid pandemic has also brought relief to travel and hospitality sector.
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Ministry of Defence
Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference – July 2020
The Air Force Commanders’ Conference  was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on 22 Jul 20 at Air Headquarters . Chief of the Air Staff,Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria welcomed the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri and other senior officials from the MoD.
In his address to the Air Force Commanders, Raksha Mantri appreciated the proactive response by the IAF in bolstering its operational capabilities over the past few months. He stated that the professional manner in which IAF conducted the air strikes in Balakot as well as rapid deployment of IAF assets at forward locations in response to the prevailing situation in Eastern Ladakh has sent a strong message to the adversaries. Raksha Mantri said that the nation’s resolve to defend its sovereignty stands firm on the faith its people have in the capability of its Armed Forces. He alluded to the ongoing efforts for de-escalation on LAC and urged the IAF to stand ready to handle any eventuality.
He praised the stellar contribution by IAF in supporting the nation’s response to COVID-19 pandemic and the role played during several HADR missions. He highlighted the need to achieve self-reliance in defence production and noted that the theme chosen for this AFCC – ‘IAF in the Next Decade’ - was very apt for enhancing efforts towards indigenisation in the days to come. He lauded the progress made towards enhancing synergy and integration within the three services since the appointment of CDS and creation of DMA.
The Raksha Mantri concluded by acknowledging IAF’s role in adapting to changes in technology and adopting emerging capabilities in Nano Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber and Space domains. He assured the commanders that all requirements of the Armed Forces, whether financial or otherwise, would be fulfilled.
The CAS in his address to the Commanders stated that the IAF was well prepared to counter short term as well as strategic threats and the units were evenly poised to counter any aggressive action by the adversary. He noted that the response by all Commands in ensuring deployment and readiness of forces was prompt and laudable. He emphasized on the need to focus on the ability to handle situations at a short notice for ensuring a robust response.
During the three day conference, commanders will review the current operational scenario and deployments before deliberating on building the IAF capabilities in the next decade to tackle all emerging threats.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Child Welfare and Protection Committee to identify children eligible for support in difficult circumstances
Mission Vatsalya scheme of Ministry of Women and Child Development envisages a robust ecosystem through the network of state and local governments to ensure the safety and security of children in the country. Under the existing scheme guidelines, Standing/Sub-Committee system of the local bodies, the function of child welfare and protection issues may be assigned to the existing committee of the urban local body/Panchayati Raj Institution/Gram Panchayat which deals with issues of social justice/welfare of women and children. In this spirit, Child Welfare and Protection Committee  at village level will identify the children who are eligible for support likely to be in difficult circumstances, orphans, street children etc. These children will be facilitated under the sponsorship component of Mission Vatsalya Scheme. Sponsorship facilities will be provided to these Children as per recommendation of CWC and approved by the Sponsorship and Foster Care Approval Committee . States/UTs will be requested accordingly to extend facilities of sponsorship to the eligible children.
Norms of the Sponsorship, Foster care, aftercare falling under Non-Institutional Care as below :
The Mission will support children through following modes of Non-Institutional Care:
- Sponsorship: financial support may be extended to vulnerable children living with extended families/ biological relatives for supporting their education, nutrition and helath needs.
- Foster Care: the responsibility of the child is undertaken by an unrelated family for care protection and rehabilitation of the child. Financial support is provided to biologically unrelated Foster Parents for nurturing the child.
- Adoption: finding families for the children found legally free for adoption. Central Adoption Resource Authority  will facilitate the adoption programme.
- After Care: the children who are leaving a Child Care Institution on completion of 18 years of age may be provided with financial support to facilitate the child's re-integration into mainstream of society. Such support may be given from the age of 18 years up to 21 years, extendable up to 23 years of age to help her/him become self-dependent.
Types of Sponsorship
Criteria for selection and process of providing assistance under sponsorship will be of two types-
A - Government Aided Sponsorship
B - Private Aided Sponsorship
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Hon’ble Supreme Court fixes timelines for filing of claims for payment of ex-gratia assistance to families of COVID-19 deceased
The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its Order dated 24th March 2022 in the Miscellaneous Application No. 1805 of 2021 in Writ Petition  No. 539 of 2021 has fixed the following timelines for beneficiaries to file claims for payment of ex-gratia assistance to families of COVID-19 deceased as announced by National Disaster Management Authority.
The key directions issued by the Hon’ble Court are:
An outer time limit of sixty days shall be applicable from 24th March 2022 to file the claims for compensation in case the death occurred due to COVID-19 prior to 20th March 2022.
For any future deaths, ninety days’ time shall be provided from the date of death due to COVID-19 to file the claim for compensation.
The earlier order to process the claims and to make the actual payment of compensation within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of claim shall continue to be enforced.
The Hon’ble Court however directed that in case of extreme hardship where any claimant could not make an application within the time prescribed, it will be open for the claimant to approach the Grievance Redressal Committee and make the claim through Grievance Redressal Committee which shall be considered by the Grievance Redressal Committee on case to case basis and if it is found by the Grievance Redressal Committee that a particular claimant could not make the claim within the stipulated time which was beyond their control his/her case may be considered on merits.
Moreover, the Hon’ble Court also directed that in a bid to minimize the risk of fake claims, a random scrutiny of the 5% of the claim applications shall be made at the first instance. If it is found that anybody has made a fake claim, the same shall be considered under Section 52 of the DM Act, 2005 and liable to be punished accordingly.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves developing of Affordable rental housing Complexes for urban migrants / poor
The Union Cabinetchaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for developing of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes  for urban migrants / poor as a sub-scheme under Pradhan MantriAwasYojana – Urban  by:
- existing vacant government funded housing complexes will be converted in ARHCs through Concession Agreements for 25 years. Concessionaire will make the complexes livable by repair/retrofit and maintenance of rooms and filling up infrastructure gaps like water, sewer/ septage, sanitation, road etc. States/UTs will select concessionaire through transparent bidding. Complexes will revert to ULB after 25 years to restart next cycle like earlier or run on their own.
- special incentives like use permission, 50% additional FAR/FSI, concessional loan at priority sector lending rate, tax reliefs at par with affordable housing etc. will be offered to private/ public entities to develop ARHCs on their own available vacant land for 25 years.
A large part of workforce in manufacturing industries, service providers in hospitality, health, domestic/commercial establishments, and construction or other sectors, labourers, students etc. who come from rural areas or small towns seeking better opportunities will be the target beneficiary under ARHCs.
An expenditure of Rs 600 Crore is estimated in the form of Technology Innovation Grant which will be released for projects using identified innovative technologies for construction. Approximately,three Lakh beneficiaries will be covered initially under ARHCs.
ARHCs will create new ecosystem in urban areas making housing available at affordable rent close to the place of work. Investment under ARHCs is expected to create new job opportunities. ARHCs will cut down unnecessary travel, congestion and pollution.
Government funded vacant housing stock will be converted into ARHCs for economically productive use. The scheme would create a conducive environment for Entities to develop AHRCs on their own vacant land which will enable new investment opportunities and promote entrepreneurship in rental housing sector.
Background:
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs  has initiated an Affordable Rental Housing Complexes  for urban migrants/poor as a sub-scheme under Pradhan MantriAwasYojana . The scheme was announced by the Hon'ble Finance Minister on 14 May, 2020. This scheme seeks to fulfill the vision of 'AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in massive reverse migration of workers/ urban poor in the country who come from rural areas or small towns for seeking better employment opportunities in urban areas. Usually, these migrants live in slums, informal/ unauthorized colonies or peri-urban areas to save rental charges. They spend lot of time on roads by walking/ cycling to workplaces, risking their lives to cut on the expenses.
Ministry of Defence
Compensation to war veterans/widows of soldiers
The details of Army Fatal Casualties sustained during terrorist attacks/tactical action in the State of J&K and Army/Assam Rifles  during Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operation in North East since last three years are as under:
|
|
S. No.
|
|
Year
|
|
J&K
|
|
North East

|
|

|
|
2016
|
|
06
|
|
08
|
|

|
|
2017
|
|
13
|
|
-
|
|

|
|
2018
|
|
12
|
|
02
|
|

|
|
2019
|
|
03

|
|
02

The number of Eligibility Certificates  issued for gas agencies/petrol pumps during the last three years are as follows:
LPG 
|
|
Category
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
ESM
|
|
346
|
|
125
|
|
19
|
|
Widows
|
|
28
|
|
17
|
|
03
|
|
Dependents
|
|
07
|
|
09
|
|
02
|
|
Total
|
|
381
|
|
151
|
|
24
Retail Outlets 
|
|
Category
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
ESM
|
|
Nil
|
|
12
|
|
64
|
|
Widows
|
|
Nil
|
|
16
|
|
24
|
|
Dependents
|
|
Nil
|
|
Nil
|
|
01
|
|
Total
|
|
Nil
|
|
28
|
|
89
After the Eligibility Certificates are issued, the Oil Companies through a rigorous selection process allot Gas Agencies/Petrol Pumps to the Ex-Servicemen, Widows and their Dependents.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Harshvardhan Singh Dungarpurin Rajya Sabha today.
Nampi/HS
(Visitor Counter : 519
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Chess Olympiad Torch Relay enters Western India after covering 20 cities in North India
The first-ever Chess Olympiad Torch Relay entered Western India today as it reached Jaipur today morning. After passing through Ajmer, torch relay will enter Ahmedabad and then travel to Kevadia, Vadodra, Surat, Dandi, Daman, Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai and Panjim. Thereafter the torch relay will enter the Eastern part of India, North-east India aculminating culminate at South India.
In the first leg of North India the torch travelled to 20 cities of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the last 10 days.
The relay will cover a total of 75 cities, commemorating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav – 75 years of India’s independence. The first ever torch relay for Chess Olympiad was launched by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi at the IG Stadium in New Delhi on June 19.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich handed over the torch to the Prime Minister, who handed it over to Indian Chess legend Viswanathan Anand. Following the historic launch, the torch travelled to iconic locations including Red Fort in the national capital, the HPCA in Dharamshala, the Attari Border in Amritsar, the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow, among others.
Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, Governor of Punjab Shri Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of Law and Justice Shri Kiren Rijiju, etc remained some of the prominent dignitaries at the various Chess Olympiad torch relay events.
The torch relay events start with simul chess, where Grandmasters and dignitaries play the game with local athletes. Following the events, the torch travels to the various locations via a jeep. Besides, various cultural events take place including an interactive bus tour travelling from one city to another, a cultural parade varying from region to region which features young chess players’ community.
For the first time in the history of the prestigious competition, India not only hosts the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad but is also the first country that starts off a torch relay that has been instituted by FIDE for the first time in the history of the competition which started in 1927. Being the host, India is set to field 20 players – their biggest ever contingent – at the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad. India is entitled to field 2 teams each in the Open and Women’s category. Over 2000 participants will be representing at the event from 188 countries, highest in the history of the Chess Olympiad. The 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad will be held in Chennai from July 28 to August 10, 2022.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Shri Nitin Gadkari Launches Bamboo Water Bottle and other Products at KVIC
Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari launched new KVIC products and a special sales campaign in New Delhi today, on the eve of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He launched a bamboo bottle of 700ml to 900 ml capacity made by a Tripura based organization, which is being seen as the perfect replacement of plastic bottles as it is natural, cost effective, attractive and most eco-friendly. He also launched low priced sanitary napkins developed by Ladlee, a new soap and kachchi ghani mustard oil.
Remembering the Father of the Nation on the eve of his 150th birthday, Shri Gadkari said that khadi and village industries were very close to Gandhi ji’s heart. He said Gandhian economics emphasizes on maximum production with involvement of maximum number of people, and the Government of India is sincerely working to fulfil his dreams. The decision to serve tea in kulhads on 400 railway stations, distribution of tool kits to leather artisans are all steps in this direction, he said. The Minister also emphasized the need to modernise Khadi products to make them more attractive to the youth, and said the Ministry and KVIC are collaborating with reputed designers in this regard. Shri Gadkari said that presently 200 MSME companies are listed in National Stock Exchange and KVIC should also make efforts to list some entrepreneurs in NSE which will make easier the credit flow.
Shri Gadkari appreciated the efforts made by KVIC in developing new products which are eco-friendly, cost effective and good for health and environment. He expressed hope that this year KVIC will break its own record of single day sale of Rs. 1.25 Crores which happened on 13th October 2018.
KVIC chairman Shri Vinai Saxena said KVIC is in the process of reviving village industries. The Kacchi Ghani mustered oil launched today is being supplied by a Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme  unit established recently near Jaipur. The cost effective sanitary napkins are manufactured in Chandigarh also by a PMEGP Unit. He informed that the annual turnover of KVIC is approximately Rs. 3,000 crores and they are pushing to take it to Rs 5000 crores in the coming years.
In observance of 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi, KVIC, for the first time, is giving 40% discount on Gandhi Topi and Gandhi Dhoti and 20% discount on all village industries products which will be applicable from 2nd October for 40 days.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Lok Sabha passes the Right to Information  Bill, 2019
Government is fully committed to transparency and accountability; No question of decreasing autonomy of Information Commissions: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Lok Sabha passed the Right to Information  Bill, 2019 today. In this amendment, it is proposed to amend the Right to Information Act, 2005 so as to provide that the term of office of, and the salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of, the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners and the State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioners, shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Participating in the debate on the Bill, Union Minister of Statefor Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this Government is fully committed to transparency and accountability. Following this principle, the Government has encouraged suo motu dissemination of maximum information by Government Departments in order to reduce number of RTIs.
In addition to this, the Minister said that the Government is focussing on grievance redressal through citizen involvement. This has strengthened the underlying principle of RTI and has consistently reduced the pendency of RTI applications in the last 5 years, the Minister informed the House.
Assuring the members that the Government is not misusing its powers to frame rules regarding State Information Commissions, Shri Singh said that according to the original RTI act of 2005, the power of framing rules in respect of Information Commissions does not fall under the purview of either the Union or the State or the Concurrent lists. Hence, framing rules, even for the State Information Commissions, falls under the Residuary powers of the Union Government, the Minister said.
Replying on the issue of comparison of service conditions of Information Commissions and Election Commissions, Shri Singh said that the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions are statutory bodies established under the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Therefore, the mandate of Election Commission of India and Central and State Information Commissions are different. Hence, their status and service conditions need to be rationalised accordingly.Further, the Minister said that there has been no change in the section of the original act dealing with the appointment of Information Commissioners. Thus, the question of decreasing autonomy of the Information Commissions doesnot arise, the Minister added.
Prime Minister's Office
PM receives first copy of the book, ‘The Ramayana of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’ penned by Late Mrs. Baljit Kaur Tulsi Ji
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has received the first copy of the book, ‘The Ramayana of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’ penned by Late Mrs. Baljit Kaur Tulsi Ji, who is the mother of noted lawyer Shri KTS Tulsi Ji.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, "Received the first copy of the book, ‘The Ramayana of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’ penned by Late Mrs. Baljit Kaur Tulsi Ji, who is the mother of noted lawyer Shri KTS Tulsi Ji. The book has been published by IGNCA.
During our interaction, the learned Shri KTS Tulsi Ji spoke about the noble tenets of Sikhism and also recited Gurbani Shabad. I was touched by his gesture. Here is an audio. https://t.co/0R9z836sLi "